It’s the RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show this weekend!
Browse, buy, and pick up advice from more than 45 specialist nurseries and garden trade stands. Or, hop on board the Flower Bus. The 42ft bus is part of a nationwide campaign spearheaded by celebrity floral designer Jonathan Moseley to fly the flag for British-grown cut flowers. ‘Passengers’ will have a chance to get hands-on creating fabulous British floral displays with seasonal favourites. Jonathan will also create three spectacular floral photo frames using fresh cut flowers for visitors to enjoy.
Last year, as part of the RHS Garden Harlow Car Flower Show a popular display of planted and decorated army boots greeted guests as they walked into the gardens. This year, the gardens have been in touch with me to see if I could be creative with my favourite plant.
Our brief from the RHS is to ‘Upcycle’ any containers you have – from a garden bucket to a handbag, old welly or a traditional plant pot – as long as you can carry it.
In a slight panic, I knew exactly who to turn to…
You may have heard me talk about the Cone Exchange before. They are the community recycling project form Bettys & Taylors. Selling knitting wool and fabrics, to paper crafts and junk model material – it is a crafters dream. I sourced a palette from the Cone Exchange, which originates from Taylors and most of the time it goes to Horticap, who magic it into garden furniture.
The other people I turned to were my mum and dad. My keen gardening mum, knew what plants I needed and where to get them from. Dad, on the other hand, was roped into helping me turn the palette into a crate!
Now I had the people, the plants and a crate – what was I planning?
Well, I may not have a favourite plants but I love nothing more than sipping Champagne in the garden – and so I made a Crate of Champagne!
What do you think:
The flowers I’ve used are ‘Champagne Moments’ Rose, a ‘Champagne Bubbles’, and a ‘Champagne’ Heuchera.
Among my crate of Champagne are many others, including another made by the Cone Exchange. If you go to Harlow Carr please take a picture of your favourite (*cough* mine!) and share it on social using the hashtag #passionforplants
A big thank you to my mum, dad and the Cone Exchange for all their help. The Cone Exchange also have their own pot, so keep a look out for that too.
Have a wonderful, sunny and hot weekend!
